River Island saw lower operating profit last year even though sales rose and it blamed that familiar scenario, the “challenging” retail environment. But it also ploughed money into tech and expects to reap the rewards.

Sainsbury’s is boosting its Tu Clothing menswear offer, with its first full men’s formalwear line-up having just launched following a strong response to its Harris Tweed line. And it will add Premium menswear next month.

Originally started as an online boutique, the Netherlands’ LaDress is now opening its fifth physical location. A 40 m2 store will open in Rotterdam on 23 September, and a further European expansion is in the wings.

A historic department store site is set to host retail shops once again with the former Lewis’s in Liverpool to be redeveloped as part of a new plan to create shops, leisure facilities and homes on Ranelagh street.

House of Fraser delivered lower sales and wider losses Wednesday but was upbeat and said its womenswear revamp is paying off while lower e-sales were caused by an online re-platform that is now yielding good results.